2008 Mini Clubman: L.A. Auto Show Preview

Oct 1, 2009

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LOS ANGELES - It's not like five-door sedans are a new thing, but nobody has ever built one configured like the Clubman. With a body 9.5 in. longer on a chassis with 3.15 in. added to the wheelbase and consequently 3.15 in. more rear legroom, rear-seat passengers will find the interior far more capacious.

Of course, it's never fun shoehorning those linebackers into the back, but the Clubman's rear door (singular) should make it easy. This door can only be opened if the passenger-side front door is open-there's no handle on the outside. A single rear door is hinged at the back, making the usable area of the door opening far larger and more, well, usable.

So far, that's three doors out of five. The Clubman has two rear doors, hinged like saloon doors rather than a liftgate or tailgate. This should make loading stuff into the back easier, too.

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